Other Programs

& Initiatives

Port of New Orleans Environmental Policy

It is the intent of the Board of Commissioners of the Port of New Orleans and its employees to operate the Port and manage resources by preserving and protecting the environment. The Port of New Orleans C-A-R-E-S and will:

Continually evaluate and improve activities and practices to preserve and protect the environment.

Comply with Applicable environmental laws and regulations.

Employ Responsible and sound methods of pollution prevention.

Foster Employee awareness and sensitivity as stewards of the environment.

Ensure a Safe and secure environment for employees and the community.

Effective date: 12/16/2004

Green Marine Certification

Green Marine is a voluntary environmental certification program that is third-party audited and encourages continuous improvement in environmental performance and community impact management. Port NOLA joined Green Marine as a member in 2014 and earned certification in 2015. The Port provides annual evaluation reports and is audited by an independent party every other year to maintain certification.

Green Marine is a comprehensive environmental program that provides frameworks for shipping companies, terminal operators and ports to voluntarily reduce their environmental footprints.

Port NOLA’s commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility is further evidenced by the service of Brandy D. Christian, our President and CEO, on the Board of Directors for Green Marine.

Port Inner Harbor Economic Revitalization Plan (PIER Plan)

The Port NOLA Inner Harbor Economic Revitalization Plan (PIER Plan) is the result of a collaborative planning project with the City of New Orleans, our key partners, the New Orleans Regional Planning Commission, the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality, and the Deep South Center for Environmental Justice, and a long list of many stakeholder organizations.

The PIER Plan focuses on the future development of the Port's Inner Harbor and surrounding communities. This planning effort was funded by a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Brownfields Area-Wide Planning Grant.

The final PIER Plan was adopted by the Board of Commissioners of the Port of New Orleans on April 23, 2020 after years of rigorous analysis and stakeholder engagement. The final PIER Plan document is now available here.

By-You Drainscapes

The Port of New Orleans has provided leadership for this regional community initiative to install public artwork around storm drains and catch basins for clean water.

The purpose of By-You Drainscapes is to engage and coordinate citizens, artists, students, governmental agencies, businesses and community organizations in the Greater New Orleans Region to enhance public awareness and water literacy through highly visible storm drain artwork in public places.

Trash Free Waters Commitment

In collaboration with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Port tenants and community stakeholders, Port NOLA is working to address the fundamental issue of trash, litter and debris. Through this program’s efforts, the Board adopted a Trash Free Waters Commitment in 2015 and has prevented over 35,000 pounds of litter from reaching our waterways to date. Port NOLA is committed to reducing litter along all of its roadways and terminals and coordinating with stakeholders to make ongoing improvements.

Earth Day

Port NOLA organizes annual Earth Day volunteer events with our team members, Port tenants and operators, and partner organizations to improve our communities and the environment. Port staff have helped to build gardens, plant trees, clean up the Pontchartrain lakeshore and pick up trash near the Inner Harbor. If your organization has an Earth Day opportunity you would like to share with the Port, please email Emily Federer at emily.federer@portnola.com.

Mardi Gras Bead Recycling

In New Orleans, we like to “Let the good times roll,” but we know the importance of cleaning up after the party. Port NOLA engages its staff, tenants and neighbors to recycle Mardi Gras beads each year. The beads are collected and reused by ARC of Greater New Orleans, an area nonprofit that cleans, sorts and resells the beads to parade groups as a source of revenue.

Since the program’s inception, Port NOLA has recycled over two tons of beads and throws. C’est bon!